Milly and Tilly: The Story of a Town Mouse and a Country Mouse

A fetching pair of plump, bright-eyed mice headline this sprightly British retelling of the story of the town mouse and the country mouse. First-time author Summers writes with flair, her affectionate descriptions giving character and individuality to the furry friends. Tilly, a homebody who is ""every bit a country mouse, from the tops of her ears to the tip of her tail,"" rises early to do her ""mousework"" before breakfast, while town-bred Milly relies on the well-stocked pantry in the ""Big House"" where she lives. Reciprocal visits send each scampering back to familiar territory. Like Summers, Kneen (When You're Not Looking) has an eye for detail, and her delicate art, on full pages and in tender vignettes, brims with captivating touches, from the acorn-cap bowls and seashell soup tureen at Tilly's house to the winsome bonnets sported by the pair (a straw hat for Tilly, naturally, and a chic felt cloche for Milly). A book to be pored over. Ages 3-6. (July)